Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back again with another installment of Ballet Tutu History! Today, we're stepping back in time to 9th January 1872! Can you imagine a world without tutus? The thought is simply shocking! But we're not quite there yet, darling. Today, we're still a little before the golden age of the tutu!
Oh my, I must confess, dear readers, I did have a delightful time at a lavish masked ball this week in Vienna, and you simply cannot imagine the incredible ballgowns! Some had trains longer than my favourite swan lake costume, and oh, the jewels! A dazzling spectacle, I assure you! I can't even imagine what the poor men looked like – their costumes were, as always, an afterthought, compared to the absolute splendour of the ladies' fashion. Of course, there I was, twinkling in my own shimmering pink tutu, standing out from the crowd, because when it comes to fashion, dear readers, we have to make a statement!
Speaking of making a statement, back in the 1870s, dancers still hadn't quite discovered the gloriousness of the modern-day tutu. You see, darlings, back in the day, the traditional "tutu" was really just a more elaborate, lacy version of the everyday petticoat worn under women’s skirts. The women would just fluff up the skirt to add some drama! This sort of 'tutu' really only offered a small hint of what we enjoy today - just the teensiest peek at the dancers' legs!
Today's fashion scene is a little different. We’re going from the Victorian 'less is more' to the beautiful ballet style of today, with full tutus with lots of layers. I just love the look. It gives the dancer an almost ethereal quality – you know, like they’re just about to float off into the air! Oh, imagine! To be a ballerina! To twirl under the twinkling lights! To feel the rush of adrenaline as you launch into a perfect fouetté. It simply makes me swoon.
What’s more, my dear readers, 9th January 1872 was an exciting day for theatre lovers in Paris! The famed opera house, the Palais Garnier, opened its doors for the very first time. Can you imagine what a momentous occasion that must have been! All the grandeur of the era… the elegance… and of course, all the beautiful outfits! I'd just love to hop in my time machine and experience it for myself. Just imagine – me twirling and frolicking in my pink tutu, surrounded by the glittering, opulent Paris! Oh, how exquisite it must have been.
Even though there wasn't the 'tutu' of today in the early 1870s, I still love looking back at the fashion of this era. The ladies' garments were so intricately designed, with exquisite detailing and ornate fabrics. You just knew they'd taken hours to be made. Even though my personal favourite outfit will always be a flamboyantly pink tutu, I must admit, sometimes it's good to admire a different era!
Speaking of pink tutus, my lovely friends! Have you seen my latest collection in the online store? This week, we have a fantastic, one-of-a-kind, hand-beaded tutu – imagine sparkly sequins and shimmering jewels in the most exquisite shades of pink imaginable – and all designed exclusively for my beloved readers! Don't miss out – it's a tutu you simply can't refuse!
Now, until next time, dear readers, continue twirling and dreaming! Go forth and find your own personal pink passion, even if you don’t get to wear a pink tutu.
Until next week,
Emma
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